Department of Health and Social Care

NHS: Migrant Workers

lord roberts of llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to waive the payment of any immigration surcharge for medical personnelemployed by the NHSwho are not from the UK.

lord bethell: The Government fully recognises the contribution that international professionals make to the United Kingdom and we remain committed to ensuring that this country still attracts highly skilled people to work here, including for the National Health Service. Many employers in the NHS already cover the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge in full or as a loan to overseas recruits. The Government is working with NHS England and NHS Improvement to ensure international recruitment best practice is spread throughout the NHS. In addition, we have set out plans to introduce a new NHS visa, which will offer an attractive package for NHS staff. The details of the NHS visa will be announced in due course by the Home Secretary.

Ventilators: Manufacturing Industries

baroness tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with arms manufacturers about utilising such manufacturers' ability to produce ventilators for the NHS.

lord bethell: Work preparing the National Health Service has been ongoing and we have already doubled ventilator capacity. New and existing suppliers are being asked to build as many as they can. The Prime Minister has issued a call to United Kingdom industry to produce additional ventilators and the Department asked appropriate potential manufacturers on Friday 13 March to come forward with proposals for ramping up the production of existing designs or new ventilation machines. Nearly 4,000 companies have responded, including defence contractors.Around a dozen potential prototypes have now been presented to the Department which we are currently pursuing.

Compulsorily Detained Psychiatric Patients

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether those who were detained under section 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983 but have since been released will continue to be legally entitled to the provision of after-care by social services under section 117 of that Act, following the enactment of the CoronavirusAct 2020.

lord bethell: The Coronavirus Act 2020 does not provide for any changes to legal entitlements for aftercare services under section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983.